Promoting healthcare access and addressing systemic health disparities in toxic environments

Neighborhood-level factors and health disparities are often overlooked when conceptualizing the impact of the environment as either a protective or risk factor. Models of health and resource disparity inform our examination of the need to address health outcomes for marginalized populations in the absence of population mobility, broad exposure to toxins, and access barriers to resources. This chapter engages epidemiological data, a survey of available literature, and a case study of the City of Orlando to engage questions surrounding disparities of impact from toxic environments or physical impediments to resource access. A pattern of disparate exposure to toxic environments can be seen in data and mapping, perpetuating historical environmental injustice. Addressing environmental toxin exposure is a necessary step to addressing health disparities and inequities. Engagement with community stakeholders to identify strategies that benefit both business and community interests is a critical step.